Bobbing target



Dec. 10, 1929. F. J. DOMINGO 1,733,874

BOBBING TARGET File M y 31, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l l" '01 7M 3 I 2 INVENTOR. H

m [gum/v0 Mom/w Q 6% N, H wzwa ATTORNEY;

Dec. 10, 1929. J DOMINGO 1,738,874

BOBBING TARGET Filed May 51, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

5790177/1/0 J flow/v00 ZzQ wL MA A TTQRN E Y UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE FAUSTINO J. DOMINGO, or TOPEKA, KANSAS BOBBING TARGET Application filed May 31, 1928. Serial N0. 281,980.

My invention relates to improvements in bobbing targets.

The object of my invention is to provide a frame rotatably arranged to transversely po sition the target, the target having approximately the cont-our of the body and head portion of the human form.

A. further object of my invention is to pro vide a reciprocating means transversely pom sitioning the target. V

A still further object of my invention is to provide a series oi' targets pivotally sup ported, and means to rotate the targets to a transverse position simultaneously.

A still "further object oi my invention is to provide a target or series of targets pivotally mounted on a bearing and having a lever as actuating means for partial rotation of the target or targets to an exposed position for target practice, and a spring to retract the same.

A still further object of my invention is to i provide a frame that is practically indestructible by the missiles of the artillery employed, the frame supporting a removable body that is penetratable, the body to be replaced when excessively mutilated by the missiles.

These and other objects will hereinafter be more fully explained, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, wherein like characters will apply to like parts throughout the different views.

Referring to the drawings: Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of targets.

Fig. 2 is a plan View of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the targets.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailed plan view of the upper loops oi the frame supporting the target elements.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan View of the lower loops supporting the target elements.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detailed sectional View through the sleeve bearing.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detailed view of a fragmentary portion of the lever and conmeeting arms. a

a plurality of The invention herein disclosed consists of a frame comprising a horizontally positioned bar 1 having a laterally extending sleeve member 2 centrally positioned thereon. The sleeve member rotatably engages on a pin 3,

the said pin extending through a flanged sleeve 4, the sleeve portion thereof extending through an aperture i positioned in a base member 5, the flange resting on the base memher and forming a bearing for the lower end of the first said sleeve. The pin, being detachably arranged, is secured in the sleeve 2 by means of a cotter pin 2. Positioned 011 each of the extreme opposite ends of the said bar is an apertured hub 6, the aperture transversely positioned to the bar and adapted to receive an upright rod 7 in each thereof, each oi the rods being secured by a cotter pin 8.

Centrally positioned and securely attached to each of the rods 7 is an arm 9, the said arms extending toward each other and being in axial alignment and parallel with bar 1. On the inner end of each of the arms is a loop 10 having a right angle bend extending downward, by which means a target member 11 is removably supported and centrally positionedbetween the upright rods 7 and on a plane with the vertical axis of said rods. Attached to the upper end of each of the rods is a second arm 12 having a loop 13 to slidably receive the opposite edges of the target member. It is now readily seen how the member 11 is securely supported in an erect position and removable from its supporting means. 7

The target member is of rectangular form, having an upward extension 11, said extension being centrally positioned, the purpose of which is to approximately carry out the area of a human head, while the rectangular portion defines the body of a human, the legs and arms being eliminated; and being so arranged will provide a target of the proper size and contour that is deemed preferable for army practice in marksmanship, and being arranged as a bobbing target.

While the bar, rods, and arms are preferably of properly tempered steel to resist penetration or serious multilation by the missile discharged in the practice, it is not required The rotatable reciprocations of the targetsare accomplished by rigidly attaching alever 16 to the sleeve member 2, the said l'ever'extending outward and obliquely tothe alignment of the bar member 1. The outer end of the lever extends downward, forming a spindle 16' to pivotally engage with connect.- ing arms17,.the armsbeingsecured thereon by. means of a, cotter pin 18 passing through the lower end thereof; It will be-understood that the connecting arms have an aperture in both ends thereof,.and two of said armswill interlappingly engage on the spindle, by which means any desired number of targets may be connected andv simultaneously operated.

Positioned. at one end of the basemember is a bell. crank19 pivotally connected as at 20, one e'nd of the crank being attached to its respective arm 17,,the' other end having a cord 21 attached thereto, by which means the target is bobbed into view when the cord is drawn in -the directionof the arrow shown thereby. As a meansto retract the latter described movement,a coilspring 22 hasone ,end attached to any one of the levers, the

V ment of the targets.

other end being attached to the base, as

shown at A in Figs; 2 and 4'." The spring, being soarranged, will counteract the pull of the bell crank, bobbing thetarget transversely or renderingit invisible to the marksman. It isnow. readily seen how the bobbing of the target is quickly operated and when bobbed into view the time limit may be very few secondsfor snapshooting, the time being governed by the operator of the bell crank.

As a means to support the targets vertically, I'have arranged a plurality of bars 23 transversely positioned and securely, but removably, attached to the under side of the base member 5, the outer end of the bars having an-aperture 24 in' each end thereof, by which means a'pin 25, having a head fthereon, may be driven through and into the ground to prevent overturning or. displace- It will be understood that the mechanism can be readily taken down and packed for transportation.

'WhileI have shown the bell crankfbeing positioned at one endof the series of targets,

itwill be understood that it may be at either end or-intermediately positioned; and also thepositionof thespringmay be varied or a greater number of springs employed. Such other modifications may be employed as lie within the scope of the appended claims.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a bobbing target, a base supporting means, a plurality of flanged sleeves engaging in apertures spaced along said base member, frames having an apertured sleeve for each thereof and a lever outwardly extending from each of the-sleeves, and a pin to engage as rotatable connecting means for the frames to the flanged sleeve members respectively, arms connecting each of the levers of the frames, a bell crank and connecting means to the arms as rocking means for the frames to a transverse position, and a spring member to retract the frames to their normal position, the frames supporting a target, the target being removable and replaceable in the frame.

2. In a bobbing target, a target supporting frame of the kind described comprising a bar member having an apertured hub on each end thereof and a centrally positioned bearing on which the bar rotates, a lever radially extending from the bearing, and a connecting arm plvotally connected to the lever, a base memher, and a bell crank pivoted to the base as revolving means for the bar, and a spring to retract the bar when the bell crank is released, a rod vertically positioned in each of the apertured hubs, the rods removably arranged, a pair of arms on each rod extending FAUSTINO J. DOMINGO. 

